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DETROIT -- You know the best thing that I can say about the 2010 Kia Forte sedan is that it didn’t come across as a cheap Asian compact car. That’s really significant since I got out of a luxury sedan that cost $80,000 more and started test driving the Forte.
 The interior of my test car was pretty cool. The top half of the dash was black and the lower half as well as the seats and door panels was pearl gray. The interior color lay out had a sort of stylish snap to it.
Those seats were comfortable, too. I drove the car for a week and never shifted or squirmed trying to find the right seating position. The second trait that struck me about my Forte was the equipment. I’m not a very demanding driver. Give me the right stuff and I’m happy.
In the case of the Forte, that would be power locks, windows and mirrors. My only gripe was that my Forte did not have non-reflective rear- and side-view mirrors. I think that equipment will make its way down the price range and into compact cars soon.
 But my test car did have satellite radio and Bluetooth which meant I could turn my cell phone into a hands free car phone. There was a CD player with MP3 capability as well as auxiliary and USB jacks. It didn’t have a premium audio system but it was alright with me.
I think one of the most important things about a small car is that it doesn’t drive small. The Forte didn’t. I never felt overwhelmed by traffic or outgunned on the expressway.
My Forte accelerated well. In other words, I didn’t have to practice defensive driving because my test car was underpowered. The car had a very satisfactory ride, cornering was good and braking was even better.
Kia says the Forte sedan is a five passenger vehicle; maybe so – technically. But I think the car can carry four full size adults comfortably. I found plenty of head and leg room when I climbed into the back seat. And I could see somebody (somebody grown) being very comfortable back there with me.
 However, when it comes to three people, one to all of them would have to be kids not to feel a bit cramped in the back seat. And then there was the trunk. It was 14 cubic ft., but on a compact car like the Forte that seemed cavernous. Add fold down back seats and the Forte had a bunch of cargo room.
I had the EX trim line which meant my test car had a 156 horsepower four cylinder engine that made 144 foot-pounds of torque and it was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. There is 2.4-liter four cylinder engine available that makes 173 horsepower but I didn’t find my engine lacking in the oomph when I needed it.
 Perhaps the Kia Forte’s most important numbers are these: the EPA fuel economy rating for my test vehicle was 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the HWY. That’s not bad. Add on a sticker of $18,090, and if money is an issue than the Kia Forte should make the short list of those in the market for a small, fuel efficient, affordable everyday driver.
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